Jeremiah 6:24

KJV

We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have heard {H8085} the fame {H8089} thereof: our hands {H3027} wax feeble {H7503}: anguish {H6869} hath taken hold {H2388} of us, and pain {H2427}, as of a woman in travail {H3205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'We have heard the news, and our hands fall limp; anguish has seized us, pain like a mother's in childbirth.'"

Berean Standard Bible

We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.

American Standard Version

We have heard the report thereof; our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:24 vividly captures the profound terror and debilitating despair gripping the people of Judah as they receive news of an impending, overwhelming invasion. This verse portrays the immediate, visceral reaction to the threat, characterized by physical weakness, intense emotional and physical suffering, and an inescapable sense of doom, likened to the unavoidable and agonizing pains of childbirth. It underscores the dire consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion and the terrifying reality of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6 is a chapter saturated with pronouncements of judgment against Jerusalem, specifically detailing the coming invasion from the North, widely understood to be the Babylonians. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 6:22-23) describe the formidable nature of this enemy—a cruel and numerous people armed for war, whose approach is heralded by a great noise. Jeremiah 6:24, therefore, serves as the immediate response of the inhabitants of Judah to this terrifying news, illustrating the psychological and physical impact of the prophesied judgment. It transitions from the description of the aggressor to the desperate plight of the besieged, setting the stage for subsequent laments and further warnings in the book, such as the call to repentance in [Jeremiah 7:3-7](/jeremiah/7-3 "Jeremiah 7:3-7 - Call to Repentance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), the geopolitical landscape of the Ancient Near East was dominated by the rising power of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was rapidly eclipsing Assyria. Judah, caught between regional powers, had largely abandoned its covenant with Yahweh, engaging in widespread idolatry and social injustice. The "fame thereof" refers to the growing reputation of the Babylonian army, known for its ruthless efficiency and devastating conquests. Culturally, the "hands waxing feeble" signifies a complete loss of courage, strength, and the ability to fight or even defend oneself, a common idiom for paralysis in the face of overwhelming fear. The metaphor of "a woman in travail" was a powerful and universally understood image for unavoidable, intense, and escalating pain, often used in prophetic literature to describe the severity of divine judgment, as seen in [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Travail as a Metaphor for Judgment").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights the **inevitability and severity of divine judgment** for covenant unfaithfulness; the terror described is a direct consequence of Judah's rebellion. Secondly, it underscores the **paralyzing effect of overwhelming fear and despair** when facing an inescapable threat, demonstrating how spiritual complacency can lead to utter helplessness. Thirdly, the imagery of "travail" emphasizes the **unavoidable and intense suffering** that accompanies God's righteous wrath, serving as a stark warning to those who ignore prophetic calls to repentance. This theme of judgment is woven throughout Jeremiah, often contrasted with the promise of future restoration for a repentant remnant, as glimpsed in passages like [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **feeble (Hebrew, _râphâh'_):** From H7503, a primitive root meaning "to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative); abate, cease, fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble." In this context, it describes a profound physical and psychological weakening, a complete loss of strength, courage, and resolve. The hands, typically symbols of power and action, become utterly useless, signifying paralysis and inability to resist or fight.
* **anguish (Hebrew, _tsârâh'_):** From H6869, meaning "tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble." This word conveys a sense of being hemmed in, constricted, or in a tight spot with no escape. It denotes a comprehensive and pervasive state of distress, not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep, oppressive suffering that grips the entire being.
* **pain (Hebrew, _chîyl'_):** From H2427, meaning "a throe (expectant of childbirth); pain, pang, sorrow." This term specifically refers to the intense, writhing, and unavoidable pains associated with childbirth. Its use here immediately sets up the powerful metaphor that follows, emphasizing the severity, suddenness, and escalating nature of the suffering that has seized the people, much like the inescapable process of labor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have heard the fame thereof":** This clause indicates that the news of the approaching enemy, likely the formidable Babylonian army, has reached Judah. "Fame" here refers to the terrifying reputation and overwhelming power of this invading force, which precedes their physical arrival and instills immediate dread.
* **"our hands wax feeble":** This phrase vividly portrays the physical and psychological impact of the news. The "hands" symbolize strength, capability, and action. Their "waxing feeble" means they are losing all strength, becoming weak and paralyzed. This signifies a complete collapse of courage, an inability to prepare for battle, or even to flee, leaving the people utterly helpless.
* **"anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain":** This describes the overwhelming emotional and physical distress that has seized the people. "Anguish" (tsârâh) denotes a deep, constricting trouble, while "pain" (chîyl) specifically points to the intense, writhing throes. The phrase "hath taken hold" (châzaq) emphasizes that this suffering is not merely felt but has forcefully seized and gripped them, from which there is no escape.
* **"as of a woman in travail":** This powerful simile compares the people's anguish and pain to the excruciating and unavoidable suffering of a woman in childbirth. It highlights the suddenness, intensity, inevitability, and escalating nature of the distress. Just as a woman cannot escape labor pains once they begin, Judah cannot escape the impending judgment, which will be agonizing and all-consuming.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:24 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Judah's terror. The most prominent is the **Simile**, comparing the people's anguish to "pain, as of a woman in travail." This is a highly effective and common biblical metaphor for intense, unavoidable, and escalating suffering, often associated with divine judgment or the birth pains of a new era. It evokes a visceral sense of helplessness and agony. **Hyperbole** is also present in the phrase "our hands wax feeble," which exaggerates the physical incapacitation to emphasize the complete psychological paralysis and loss of courage among the people. The "hands" represent their ability to act, and their feebleness suggests utter powerlessness. Furthermore, **Personification** is used when "anguish hath taken hold of us," giving the abstract concept of anguish an active, forceful quality, as if it were a physical entity seizing and gripping its victims. This reinforces the idea that the distress is overwhelming and inescapable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:24 serves as a stark theological declaration of the consequences of persistent disobedience and the terrifying reality of divine judgment. It demonstrates that God, in His justice, allows the natural and spiritual consequences of sin to unfold, often through the agency of human nations. The overwhelming fear and anguish described are not random misfortunes but the direct, inevitable fruit of Judah's unfaithfulness to their covenant with Yahweh. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over history and nations, using even pagan empires as instruments of His righteous judgment. It highlights the prophetic warning that ignoring divine appeals for repentance leads to inescapable suffering, emphasizing that true peace and security are found only in faithfulness to God.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Prophecy of a Fierce Nation")
* [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Travail Metaphor for Judgment")
* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Lamentations 1:12 - Unparalleled Sorrow of Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:24 offers timeless lessons for all who hear God's word. It serves as a powerful reminder that ignoring divine warnings and persisting in spiritual rebellion inevitably leads to profound distress and judgment. While the immediate context is historical, the principle remains: unaddressed sin and unrepentant hearts invite a spiritual "travail" that can be agonizing and inescapable. This verse calls us to a posture of humility and responsiveness to God's voice, urging us not to wait until the "fame" of impending spiritual consequences becomes a paralyzing reality. It challenges us to examine our own lives for areas of disobedience and spiritual apathy, prompting us to seek repentance and reconciliation with God before the "anguish" takes hold. The fear described in the verse, though born of judgment, can also serve as a catalyst for genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to walking in God's ways, recognizing that true security lies in His mercy and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fame" or warnings might God be speaking into my life today that I am tempted to ignore?**
* **In what areas of my life do my "hands wax feeble" due to fear or spiritual apathy, preventing me from acting in faith?**
* **How does the imagery of "a woman in travail" prompt me to take God's warnings about sin and judgment more seriously?**

### FAQ
**What is the "fame thereof" referring to in Jeremiah 6:24?**

Answer: The "fame thereof" refers to the terrifying reputation and overwhelming military might of the approaching enemy, specifically the Neo-Babylonian Empire. News of their ruthless conquests and formidable army had spread throughout the region, instilling widespread dread. This "fame" was not just a rumor but a well-known reality that preceded their physical arrival, causing immediate panic and despair among the people of Judah, as described in the preceding verses of [Jeremiah 6:22-23](/jeremiah/6-22 "Jeremiah 6:22-23 - Description of the Northern Foe").

**Why is "a woman in travail" used as a metaphor for the people's suffering?**

Answer: The metaphor of "a woman in travail" is a powerful biblical image used to convey intense, unavoidable, and escalating pain. Childbirth pains are universally understood as agonizing, all-consuming, and a process that, once begun, cannot be stopped or escaped until its completion. By comparing Judah's anguish to this, the prophet emphasizes the severity, suddenness, and inevitability of the divine judgment that has seized them. It highlights that their suffering is not merely an inconvenience but a profound, visceral experience from which there is no escape, much like the "birth pains" described in [Matthew 24:8](/matthew/24-8 "Matthew 24:8 - Birth Pains of the End Times") regarding the end times.

**How does this verse relate to Judah's spiritual state?**

Answer: Jeremiah 6:24 is a direct consequence of Judah's persistent spiritual rebellion and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. Throughout Jeremiah, the prophet repeatedly warns Judah about their idolatry, social injustice, and refusal to repent. The "anguish" and "pain" described in this verse are not arbitrary punishments but the just outcome of their spiritual choices. They had ignored God's repeated calls to return to Him, as seen in [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Judah's Unfaithfulness"), and now faced the terrifying reality of His judgment, which manifested through the invasion of a foreign power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 6:24 vividly portrays the anguish of Judah under divine judgment, it also points forward to the ultimate resolution of human suffering and sin in Christ. The "anguish" and "pain, as of a woman in travail," that gripped Judah foreshadow the profound suffering and "birth pains" that Christ Himself would endure, not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. On the cross, Jesus experienced an anguish far deeper than any earthly travail, bearing the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant"). His cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes a unique and unparalleled travail. Through His suffering, Christ absorbed the judgment that humanity deserved, offering deliverance from the "anguish" of sin and its consequences. For those who trust in Him, the terrifying "fame" of judgment is replaced by the glorious "fame" of the gospel, and the "feeble hands" of despair are strengthened by the power of His resurrection, leading to a new creation that groans in hopeful anticipation, not in dread, for its full redemption ([Romans 8:22-23](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22-23 - Creation Groaning for Redemption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 49:24

Damascus is waxed feeble, [and] turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on [her]: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

Jeremiah 4:31

For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, [and] the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, [that] bewaileth herself, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying], Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

Jeremiah 50:43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

Isaiah 28:19

From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only [to] understand the report.

Jeremiah 30:6

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

Jeremiah 13:21

What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them [to be] captains, [and] as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].